EV, plug-in hybrid sales strong in October

SAN FRANCISCO -- Electric vehicle sales in October remained remarkably
strong, defying poor publicity over lithium-ion battery issues and
predictions that the technology was a flash-in-the pan fad. Industry
estimates suggest that when all is said and done in 2012, electric vehicle
sales will double to more than 35,000 units, from 2011's
total.

Leading the pack was General Motors' Chevrolet Volt, which set a
monthly sales record for the third month in a row with 2,961 cars
sold last month.

The plug-in version of the Toyota Prius sold nearly 1,900 units,
while the Nissan Leaf sold 1,579 cars, beating its previous monthly
high by 43 percent.